Walter Salles’ award-winning film reaches records and moves audiences across the country, reaffirming the strength of Brazilian cinema in telling deep and striking stories
After receiving international acclaim and winning the Best Screenplay award in Venice, the feature film ““, directed by , debuted in Brazil with impressive success. In its first weekend, the film drew crowds to cinemas, topping the box office with screenings in 610 theaters, in 189 cities, and more than 350,000 tickets sold, setting a new record for a Brazilian film distributed by Sony since 2015.
The impact of “I’m Still Here” goes beyond the numbers: in several sessions, the public applauded at the end of the exhibition, highlighting the immersive and emotional experience provided by the work. “What touches us most are the testimonials that arrive on social media, describing how the film moved them and the importance of watching this story collectively,” reveals producer Maria Carlota Bruno, who shares the project with Rodrigo Teixeira and Martine de Clermont -Tonnerre.
The warm reception echoed on social media, with praise for the narrative and the visceral way in which the story is told. On Letterboxd, a social platform dedicated to cinephiles, the film was among the best rated of the week, and the buzz surrounding its sold-out sessions took over the Brazilian press. The success did not go unnoticed internationally: publications from outside the country also highlighted Brazilians’ enthusiasm for the launch.
In addition to its success at the box office, “I’m Still Here” touches on a painful aspect of national memory, revisiting the years of repression under the Brazilian military dictatorship. By retelling the story of Eunice Paiva and her struggle to understand the fate of her husband Rubens Paiva, who disappeared in the 1970s, the film presents itself as a milestone in the rescue and preservation of a memory that continues to resonate in contemporary Brazil.
Check out the film trailer below
